The Kissing Gourami is an introduced freshwater fish in Sri Lanka, originally native to Southeast Asia. It is found in ponds, reservoirs, marshes, irrigation canals, and other slow-moving freshwater habitats with abundant aquatic vegetation. Like other labyrinth fishes, it possesses a specialized air-breathing organ that enables it to survive in waters with low dissolved oxygen. This species is well known for its distinctive "kissing" behaviour, in which two fish press their lips together. Contrary to its name, this is usually a form of territorial or dominance behaviour rather than an act of affection. The Kissing Gourami is primarily an omnivore, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, insect larvae, small invertebrates, and organic matter scraped from submerged surfaces. It is generally peaceful but may become territorial towards other fish of the same species. In Sri Lanka, the Kissing Gourami is mainly encountered in ornamental ponds and some natural freshwater habitats where it has become established. As an introduced species, it has the potential to compete with native freshwater fishes for food and habitat, making it important to monitor its spread and ecological impact.